Feed-water regulator.



R. B. HOBSON.

FEED WATER REGULATOR.

APPLICATION FILED 311.10, 1911.

Patented J an. 5, 1915.

[HE NORRIS PETERS C0 FHDTO-LITHQ. WASHINGTON. u L.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RUSSELL B. HOBSON', OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

FEED-WATER REGULATOR.

Application filed February 10, 1911.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, Russian. B. HOBSON, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Feed-Water Regulators, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to feed regulators adapted for general service but particularly applicable to steam boilers to operate as a feed controller for the latter, and one object of the invention is to provide positively operated means for controlling the opening and closing of a valve disposed in a feed pipe and to insure a positive actuation of said valve in accordance with the level of the water in the boiler by comparatively simple and effective means.

The invention consists in the construction and arrangement of the several parts which will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed in preferred form and subject to such variations as fairly fall within the scope of the claims.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a sectional view of a feed regulator embodying the features of the invention and shown associated with a portion of a steam boiler, the feed valve being illustrated as open. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the feed valve closed.

The numeral 5 designates a boiler or receptacle, with which I show my invention as conveniently connected by means of a stand pipe 6 having terminals 7 connected to the drum at different elevations above and below the central longitudinal plane of the drum and provided with an intermediate Valve and union 7 having an arm 8. This arm forms a seat or attaching means 9 for a condenser pipe 10 and a tap or attaching means 11 at one end for a small connecting pipe 12.

The condenser pipe 10 has a static pipe 13 extending centrally therethrough and through the arm 8 of the coupling or union 7 to a point within a terminal seat or attaching means 14 in the lower portion of the said arm and continued downwardly and at a distance from the arm 8 by a pipe 15 also fitted in the said attaching means 14. It will be evident from the drawing and description that the condenser in this an nular form not only surrounds the static pipe 13 but forms a film, as it were, of condenser surface which lies about the static Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 5, 1915.

Serial 110-607,?93.

pipe and that water is contiguous to the condenser at all times throughout a substantial part of the length of the condenser, preferably its entire length, for transfer of heat units therebetween. The film condenser is "thus cooled throughout a substantial part of its length by a water column whose most advantageous location for this purpose is internal to the condenser; and the same column is here utilized for the static means of maintaining pressure as hereinafter shown.

The pipes 12 and 15 are effective as terminals of. the film condenser and contiguous static pressure pipe respectively and are connected to opposite sides of a differential pressure mechanism controlling a boiler feed valve whose preferred forms and arrangement I have described herein. In the form illustrated I have shown the pipes 12 and 15 as connected to a diaphragm casing 16 inclosing a diaphragm chamber 17 divided horizontally by a flexible diaphragm 18 with which a spring 19 engages. The pipe 12 thus always maintains the upper portion of the diaphragm chamber 17 under boiler steam pressure. The spring 19 is held in position in a vertical extension 20 of the casing 16 and operates to restore the diaphragm 18 to normal position under certain conditions, which will be more fully hereinafter explained. The condenser pipe has its lower end opening into the tubular arm 8 at the set water line of the boiler, and at its upper end is provided with an enlarged extremity 21 having a suitable vent 22 connected to the closed top thereof.

The vent 22 is solely for the purpose of discharging any small amount of air which may accumulate within the chamber 23 and,

performs no other function with respect to the operation of the regulator. The only communication between the static pipe and the condenser is within the chamber 21 at the upper end of the said static pipe, the upper end of the static pipe being provided with a reservoir 23. The reservoir 23 at the upper end of the static pipe has a cubical capacity about equal to the operative displacement of the diaphragm, the enlarged extremity 21 being in practice an accommodation as to dimensions relatively to the reservoir 23 at the upper end of the static pipe.

The static pipe does not communicate with the interior of the arm 8 and is practically' continuous between the upper end thereof and the point of attachment of the pipe 15 to the reservoir chamber 17 below the diaphragm 18.

Below the casing 16 is a feed valve casing and chamber 2 1 connected to the chamber 17 by a pipe 25 and interposed in the feed water pipe 26 attached to the lower portion of the boiler drum 5. The valve 25 has a stem 27 secured thereto and extending upwardly through the pipe 25 and attached to the center of the diaphragm 18, the said stem 27 passing through a loosely packed gland 28 in the upper end of the pipe 25. It will be obvious that although the gland 28 is'used, a leakage of a small amount of water through the gland will simply cause a slight overflow of the static pipe reservoir 28and will result in no operative disturbance.

It will be seen that the stand pipe 6 sup ports my invention from two separate points, reducing the tendency to leakage at the connection from strain of the apparatus and at the same time maintains the level of the water in the hollow arm 8 uniform with the level of the water in the boiler and which is shown in Fig. 1 below the bottom end of the condenser pipe. Under this condition the condenser 10 is open to steam from the boiler, the steam being thus permitted to exert its full pressure on the water constantly contained in the static pipe 13 and which causes the pressure in the lower part of the diaphragm chamber 17, to'which I have shown it connected, in the preferred form of diflerential pressure mechanism which I have illustrated, to be equal to full steam pressure plus the hydrostatic head in the static pipe 13.

As the pressure in the upper part of the I diaphragm chamber 17 is almost exactly boiler pressure, steadily maintained through the pipe 12, there is then an excess of pressure in the lower part of the diaphragm chamber 17 equal to the hydrostatic head in the static pipe and causing the upward deflection of the diaphragm 18 and operation to open position of the feed valve 25. When water has been replenished in the boiler so as to rise above the bottom of the condenser 10, the steam contained therein is replaced by water as fast as the steam c0ndenses, the pipe becoming gradually filled with water.

Fig. 2 shows the condenser 10 filled with water and the feed Valve 25 shut as a result of the filling of the condenser pipe for reasons as follows: As the water rises in the condenser 10 the pressure in its upper portion becomes proportionately reduced until the column of water in the condenser pipe is of equal height with the water in the static pipe, at which point the condenser column completely neutralizes the static column and causes the pressure in the upper and lower portions of the diaphragm chamber to be in static equilibrium. Under this latter condition the spring 19 depresses the diaphragm 18 and thereby closes the feed valve 25. As soon as the water has again fallen below the bottom of the condenser 10, steam is admitted and the column of water in the said condenser pipe falls and permits full steam pressure to be exerted at the top of the pipe and operation of the feed valve 25 to open position as before, the two operations alternating continuously as the water rises and falls in the boiler. It follows that when the water has risen part of the total distance in the condenser pipe the feed controlling valve 25 will be partly closed and the pressure variation in the lower portion of the diaphragm chamber will be proportionate to the height of the water in the condenser.

In order to drain the diaphragm chamber 16 and connected parts, a suitable pet cock 30 will be applied as shown to the upper and lower portions of the chamber.

At the intersection of the tubular arm 8 with the stand pipe'6 a cross-valve 31 is disposed to shut out the regulator organization relative to the stand pipe and boiler or receptacle 5 at any time found desirable. The static pipe 13 and condenser 10 may be properly termed primary and secondary pipes in view of the primary and secondary functions which they perform and their relative interdependence.

There are many advantages incident to the improved regulator just described, and among others may be mentioned the maintenance of a column of water above the level of the water line by means of the static pipe ready to exert its head upon the fall of the condenser column; the constant submergence of the diaphragm or plunger on both sides and prevention of steam contact with either one side or the other; the preferred arrangement of the static pipe within the condenser pipe to reduce the amount of steam to be condensed in each cycle of operation and consequently making the flooding up or new tralization of the static column more rapid; the use of a condenser pipe having no movable parts in the area of condensation, and the absence of special return pipes.

The diaphragm chamber and diaphragm may be located below the water line of the receptacle or boiler any suitable distance. Further, flexible diaphragms of metal or rubber compounds are injured when sul jected to frequent sudden changes of temperature and their longevity impaired. By submergence of the diaphragm in liquid or water, as hereinbefore explained, at a lower temperature than that in the receptacle, the diaphragm is rendered more durable and the value ofthe invention correspondingly increased. The regulator is also adapted to be used and suitably connected to more than one boiler or receptacle wherein a uniform liquid level is to be conserved.

It will be understood from the foregoing that there is no atmospheric exhaust of the content equal to the diaphragmatic displacement, but on the contrary a confinement of such discharge entirely within the boiler or receptacle.

\V hat is claimed as new is:

1. In a feed regulator of the class specified, the combination with a receptacle containing liquid and vapor under pressure and also provided with a feed pipe having a feed controlling valve therein, of a diaphragm chamber disposed above the feed controlling valve of the feed pipe and having a diaphragm therein connected to said valve, a pipe between the upper portion of the diaphragm' chamber and the receptacle, a static pipe having a column of water continually maintained therein and connecting with the lower portion of the diaphragm chamber, a condenser pipe having communication with the receptacle and solely with the upper portion of the static pipe and surrounding the latter, the lower portion of the condenser pipe having communication with the pipe between the upper portion of the diaphragm and the receptacle, and spring means cooperating with the diaphragm for closing the feed valve when the pressure on opposing sides of the diaphragm is in static equilibrium.

2. In a feed regulator of the class specified, the combination with a boiler having a feed water pipe provided with a feed valve, of a stand pipe communicating with portions of the boiler at varying elevations, a vertical condenser pipe having its lower end communicatingly open to the stand pipe, a diaphragm chamber disposed over the feed valve and having a diaphragm connected to said valve and provided with a spring for closing the valve when the pressure on the opposing sides of the diaphragm is in static equilibrium, a static pipe having a column of water continually maintained therein and extending through said condenser pipe and communicating solely with the upper end of the latter and connecting with the lower portion of the diaphragm chamber, the water in the static pipe when unbalanced by water in the condenser pipe causing the feed valve to open, and a pipe connecting the upper portion of the diaphragm chamber with the intermediate portion of the stand pipe, the lower end of the condenser pipe being in communicating agency to the pipe connecting the upper portion of the diaphragm with the stand pipe.

3. In a feed regulator of the class specifled, the combination of a boiler under pressure, a condenserpipe extending upwardly from the water line of the boiler and having a closed top portion, a static pipe descending interiorly through the condenser pipe and open to the latter solely at its upper end,'a water feed pipe for the boiler provided with a feed valve having a stem, a diaphragm chamber disposed over the feed valve and having a diaphragm therein dividing said chamber and connected to the stem, the upper portion of the diaphragm chamber being open to the boiler and the lower end of the condenser pipe and the lower portion of said chamber having the static pipe communicating therewith, and a spring for loading the diaphragm in one direction.

4. The combination of a receptacle containing liquid and a vapor thereof under pressure, a diaphragm chamber having a spring loaded diaphragm therein, the chamber being filled with liquid on both sides of the diaphragm, a single static pipe always substantially filled with liquid, a condenser pipe extending upwardly from the normal liquid level of the receptacle and alternately filled and emptied, the static pipe extending downwardly from the upper portion of and through the condenser pipe to the lower portion of the diaphragm chamber, the static pipe communicating with the condenser pipe solely at the upper end of the latter, the upper portion of the diaphragm chamber being open to the receptacle, and feed controlling means for the receptacle controlled as to its operation by the diaphragm.

5. The combination of a steam boiler under pressure, a condenser pipe extending upwardly from the boiler water line, a static pipe with a reservoir at its upper end cooperating with said condenser pipe, said static pipe and reservoir being open solely to the condenser pipe atthe upper end of the latter, a diaphragm chamber having a diaphragm therein, a feed pipe for the boiler having a valve chamber therein provided with a feed controlling valve having a stem projecting therefrom, a pipe between the lower portion of the diaphragm chamber and said valve chamber and having a gland therein through which the stem movably projects, the stem being connected to the diaphragm, the static pipe communicating at its lower end with the lower portion of the diaphragm chamber and also through the gland of the stem of the feed valve with that side of the latter having a greater pressure than the boiler, communicating means between the upper portion of the diaphragm chamber and the boiler, and means acting on the side of the diaphragm opposite that to which the stem is connected for closing the feed valve when the pressure above and below the diaphragm is in equilibrium.

6. The combination of a steam boiler under pressure, a condenser pipe extending lil - always upwardly from the boiler water line exposed to the atmosphere and having a valve at its upper extremity, the condenser pipe being alternately filled with and emptied of water, a static pipe extending through the interior of the condenser pipe and provided at its upper end with a reservoir which is open to the condenser pipe and constitutes the sole communicating means with the latter pipe, the static pipe when operating being always substantially filled with water, a feed pipe for the boiler having a controlling valve therein, and a diaphragm chamber having a diaphragm therein and open on one side of the latter to the boiler and having the static pipe connected to the opposite side of the chamber, the diaphragm being connected to the controlling valve and initially loaded in one direction.

7. The combination of a steam boiler under pressure, a vertically disposed condenser pipe having its lower end in communication with the boiler and extending upwardly above the water line of the latter,

the said condenser pipe being alternately filled with steam and water, a static pipe extending downwardly through the condenser pipe and reducing the interior area of the latter, the static pipe being substantially filled with water and communicating solely at its upper end with the top portion of the condenser pipe, a diaphragm chamber having a diaphragm therein, the static pipe at its lower end communicating with the diaphragm chamber on one side of the diaphragm and the remaining portion of said chamber on the opposite side of the diaphragm having communication with the boiler, means for loading the diaphragm in one direction, and a feed valve for the boiler controlled by the operation of the diaphragm.

8. The combination with a steam boiler under pressure having a feed means with a controlling valve therein, a diaphragm chamber provided with a diaphragm connected to said valve, and a pipe connection between a portion of the diaphragm chamber and the steam boiler, of a condenser pipe extending upwardly from the boiler water line and exposed to the atmosphere, and a static pipe extending downwardly through the condenser pipe, the static pipe communicating with the condenser pipe solely at its upper end and also communicating with the diaphragm chamber.

9. In a feed water regulator of the class specified, a receptacle containing liquid and vapor under pressure, a feed pipe, a valve therefor, a differential-p'ressure-operated mechanism for said valve, a static pressure pipe connected to one side of said differential pressure mechanism and a condenser surrounding the static pressure pipe and connected at its lower end with the receptacle and with the other side of said mechanism.

10. In a feed water regulator of the class described, differential pressure 4 operating mechanism, static means for maintaining pressure upon one side of the mechanism, a receptacle for containing liquid and vapor under pressure, a feed valve for the receptacle operated by the mechanism and a condenser connected at its lower end to said receptacle to receive variantly liquid and vapor therefrom, cooled by the static means and connected with the other side of the pressure mechanism to apply pressure thereto.

11. In a feed water regulator of the class specified, the combination of a receptacle containing liquid and vapor under pressure, a feed pipe having a feed valve therein, a static pipe having a column of water continuously maintained therein, a condenser pipe communicating with the receptacle, receiving water therefrom at the level at which the water is to be maintained in the receptacle and vapor therefrom at lower water levels, said condenser pipe surrounding said static pipe'and differential pressure means connected with the valve in the feed pipe and affected to move it in different directions by the proportionate heads and pressure in the static pipe and con denser pipe.

12. In. a feed Water regulator of the class specified, the combination of a receptacle containing liquid and vapor under pressure, a feed pipe therefor, a valve in said feed pipe, differential pressure valve operating mechanism therefor, a static pipe having a maintained column of water therein communicating with one side of said differential pressure mechanism and a condenser pipe surrounding the static pipe, communicating with the other side of said diiferential pressure mechanism and adapted to hold vapor or water according to the height of water level in the receptacle.

13. In a feed regulator of the class specitied, the combination of a receptacle containingliquid and vapor under pressure, a

feed pipe for said receptacle, a valve therei in, differential pressure valve operating mechanism controlling said valve, a connection. from said receptacle to one side of the differential pressure mechanism at approximately the height of water to be maintained therein, a condenser communicating with said connection effectively at the level at which the water is to be maintained and a static pipe adapted to contain a maintained water head passing through said condenser and communicating with the other side of said difierential pressure mechanism.

14. In a feed water regulator of the class specified, the combination of a receptacle containing liquid and. vaporunder pressure, a feed pipe therefor, a valve in said pipe, differential pressure mechanism for said valve, means for loading the difi'erem tial pressure mechanism to maintain it normally in one position, a static pipe having maintained water head therein adapted to move said mechanism in one direction and a condenser pipe surrounding the static pipe, communicating with the chamber and connected to move the differential mechanism in the opposite direction.

15. In a feed water regulator of the class specified, differential pressure mechanism, static means for maintaining pressure upon one side of the mechanism, a condenser for providing pressure upon the opposite side thereof, the condenser being cooled througlr out a substantial portion of its length by the static means, a receptacle for containing liquid and vapor under pressure connected with the lower part of said condenser to variantly supply liquid and vapor thereto, and a feed valve for the receptacle operated by the pressure mechanism.

16. In a feed water regulator of the class specified, difi'erential pressure mechanism, static means for maintaining pressure upon one side of the mechanism, a condenser adapted to apply pressure to the opposite side thereof cooled by the static means throughout a substantial part of the condensers length, a receptacle for containing liquid and vapor under pressure connected with the lower part of the condenser to variantly supply liquid and vapor thereto,

and a feed valve for the receptacle operated by the pressure mechanism.

17. In a feed water regulator of the class specified, differential pressure mechanism, static and condenser pressure means maintained contiguous for transfer of thermal units throughout a substantial portion of the condenser length and pressing upon opposite sides of said pressure mechanism, a receptacle for containing liquid and vapor under pressure adapted variantly to supply liquid and vapor to the lower part of the condenser, and a feed valve for the receptacle operated by the pressure mechanism.

18. In a feed water regulator of the class specified, differential pressure mechanism, static means for maintaining pressure upon one side thereof, a condenser for supplying pressure to the opposite side thereof, there being liquid contiguous to the condenser wall throughout a substantial portion of its length for transfer of heat units between the liquid and the condenser, a receptacle for containing liquid and vapor under pressure, adapted to supply these variantly to the lower part of the condenser, and a feed valve for the receptacle operated by the pressure mechanism.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

RUSSELL B. HOBSON. Witnesses:

CHARLES A. ROWE, A. B. KEEFER.

copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Eatents,

Washington, D. Q." 

